Oscar winning actor Denzel Washington recently revealed at the Hollywood Reporter’s annual round table discussion that he wants his daughter, Olivia Washington, who is studying at the prestigious New York University to become an actress, to be like actress Viola Davis.

In the interview, Washington discusses the advice he gave his daughter Olivia, who apparently wants to pursue an acting career:

“You’re black, you’re a woman, and you’re dark-skinned at that,” he said. “So you have to be a triple/quadruple threat. You gotta learn how to act. You gotta learn how to dance, sing, move onstage. That’s the only place, in my humble opinion, you really learn how to act. Look at Viola Davis. That’s who you want to be. Forget about the little pretty girls; if you’re relying on that, when you hit 40, you’re out the door. You better have some chops.”

Watch the video below:

In case you are wondering, “Who is Viola Davis?”

Actress Viola Davis began her career on the stage and won a Tony and a Drama Desk Award for her role in King Hedley II (2001). She won a second Drama Desk Award for Intimate Apparel (2004), followed by a second Tony and a third Drama Desk Award for her role in Fences (2010).

Some of her notable films include Traffic (2000), Antwone Fisher (2002), Solaris (2002) and The Help (2011).

Her role in the film, “The Help,” has garnered her two Screen Actors Guild Awards (one for Lead Actress and one for Best Ensemble in a motion picture), a BAFTA Award nomination, another Academy Award nomination, and a Golden Globe nomination.

In addition to her success, she was listed in Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2012.